Victory in Hard Times
Devotional Reading: James 1:2 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds
This was a hard verse to accept the first time I read it. How is it possible to look at a trial and say, “Hey, I am going to be joyful even though I am in this trial?” We must understand that if the Word says it’s possible, that means we can do it. Say it out loud…
“I can have JOY in the middle of a storm.”
“Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly.” Matthew 8:24 TPT
Jesus and the disciples were in the middle of a storm. The winds, waves, and everything else were flying all around them. The disciples were worrying and thinking that they were about to die, but Jesus was ASLEEP!
Jesus knew the storm was coming. It wasn’t a shock to Him, but he was sound asleep in the boat. Jesus knew that He could handle the storm, but judging from the question that He asked them in verse twenty-six, “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?” He expected them to use the faith that they had.
God expects you to use your faith and authority in trials. You are not supposed to be afraid or fretful. He fully EXPECTS you to use your faith, and that’s why you can count it joy. The testing of your faith produces patience, and if you allow it to, patience will have a perfect work in you. Faith and patience doesn’t always feel good in the moment, but the results are worth it.
Decide to be joyful in the trial. You are already a mountain-mover and an overcomer, so you may as well have a great attitude about it. Decide to be joyful in the process, and God will take care of the progress.
Prayer and Confession
Today I choose to be joyful in trials. I will not focus on the storm’s winds and rain, but I will look at what I can do: I can exercise my faith and speak to the storm. God expects me to use my faith, and when I do, I will see things change in my life. I have the victory in every trial. Amen!
Devotional Reading: John 6:33, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
